iTunes 9.2: “The iPhone cannot be synced. A duplicate file name was specified.”

Some users have reported an issue in which iPhones fail to sync with iTunes 9.2. In these cases, sync attempts result in the error message “The iPhone (name) cannot be synced. A duplicate file name was specified.” This problem may be accompanied by duplication of music and other media files.

Fixes

There are two potential fixes for this issue:

Remove iToner. As noted in our previous report on iTunes 9.2 syncing problems, appears that the presence of Ambrosia Software’ iToner software may cause problems with syncing. Navigate to ~/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-insand/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins (the Library folders inside your user folder and at the root level of your startup drive) and look for a file called iTonerSupport.bundle. Remove it, then restart, and check to see if iPad syncing occurs more quickly.

UPDATE: Several users have now reported that updating to iToner 2.0.6 resolves this issue.

Turn off note syncing. In iTunes, navigate to the info tab and deselect the option to sync notes, then sync your iOS device. You may need to do this each time you sync.

Comments

Excellent! I have been plagued with both slow syncs with my iPad and, after updating to iTunes 9.2, with the iPhone syncing issue described above. Removing the iToner bundle has solved both problems. Thanks!

Wow is right! Removed itoner an the sync was about 4x faster than normal! And no “cannot be synced.. duplicate file name…” error either. Thanks for the instructions. BTW I just had to restart iTunes to make this work not the whole computer, that was ambiguous in your instructions.

It’s not really necessary to get rid of the iToner app… just get the latest update (you’ll be prompted to download it when you start iToner). When the update installs it will prompt you to do a restart of iTunes (which it will do for you), and the sync problem is solved. I had three friends (including myself) with the same problem, and this solved it.

If you already have the update, just running iToner one time should solve the problem.

Glad I found your tip regarding the Library; I dumped the App last week but still had the problem. Just Trashed iToner from the Library.
I did have to restart my MacBook to empty the bundle from the trash. Now I’m ready for iOS 4.0
release today. 2 Thumbs Up!!

this has been bothering me for about a week now. If you launch iToner, you may have to prompt it to do an update (free, takes a few minutes). Then sync it to your phone again, and then re-sync my phone to itunes. worked great. I never would have guessed this was the problem. phew! Thanks for the help!

I just got iTunes 9.2 this afternoon, and I previously installed iToner. Surely enough this error came up endlessly when I tried to sync my iPhone. I called Apple and they had me remove the iToner Bundle, and along with it went my Ringtones. The note trick worked like a charm, thanks for posting.

I’m having a major problem with the recent Itunes 9.2 download. Today I went to download the 4.0 update for my Iphone and before I could download the 4.0 update Itunes required me to download the Itunes 9.2. While I was downloading the 9.2 update my Mac froze and crashed. No my Iphone has completely crashed. When I plug my iphone into my Mac a browser pops up that says “The Iphone cannot be used because it requires Itunes version 9.2 or later”. I have downloaded the 9.2 five times now and everytime i plug my iphone into my computer the same message pops up. If someone could help me with this problem I would really appreciate it.

I don’t have iToner, but have realised that in updating to iTunes 9.2 and iOS 4, all the sync settings in the info tab were reset to unchecked. Re-check the ones you want and add or re-sync. You still get the error box (must be a 9.2 bug, I’ve no duplicated file names), but everything syncs properly.

updated my iPhone 3g to iOS4, updated iTunes to 9.2, and I don’t have iToner in my MacBook Pro. with this scenario, my iPhone still doesn’t show up in iTunes. any brilliant ideas on how to fix this? thank you!

I have the same sync error message with my Ipod since updating to 9.2 BUT I don’t have iToner installed (I’ve search all my drives) and obviously don’t have the info tab (as it is an Ipod) to try switching notes on/off.

I’m really stuck – I don’t want to install iToner (can’t see how that will change anything if I didn’t have it in the first place) trial version or otherwise but need to get this resolved. For the record I’m on a PC running Windows XP (sp3) and my Ipod is running latest SW version – 1.3

I’m also having this issue with an iPod classic, I read that the problem is related to the newly released iTunes 9.2 – I downloaded the week-old iTunes 9.2.1 to see if that fixed the problem and unfortunately not.

Might try going back to iTunes 9 if I can’t find any other solution and I’ll let you know if that helps.

i couldn’t find the file itoner.bundle, same problem with jason. but while searching for other solutions i moved the sync status box (to get a better view of my web browser) and it disappeared. seems like by moving the status box it completed the sync. tried it afew times and it worked everytime. i noticed that at the top of iTunes, it states that the sync has completed even though the sync box was still running. moved the box and it disappears. not sure if it will help anyone but worth a try

My i-pod will not sync…I have updated i-tunes 6 November 2010 and since then nothing will sync and all of my 27gb worth of music files will nto appear on the i-pod!! When trying to reload from library the message ‘the i-pod can not be synced. A duplicate file name was specified’ appears. On settings I am told that 27 GB has been used so the old files are still there, but not accessible to play….HOW DO I RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?

hi
I am unable to sync my iphone4 with my windows7 laptop.It was running all rite few days back.I downloaded few torrent softwares and other softwares.I don’t know whether this is the case its not workin on my laptop or its somthng else bcoz it is working on other systems.pls help me….I tried uninstalling and reinstalling of itunes as well….